different country, different culture, different people

I have been Winnipeg about 10 months for learning English in IEP. Today I will tell you about some differences between Japan and Canada.
 Since I came to Winnipeg, I have had a lot of culture shock or culture gap between Winnipeg and my city Yokohama, or Canadian and Japanese. At the beginning, those intercultural gaps gave me negative impressions such as upset or shock, so I had a lot of funny or ashamed experiences because of different culture. But as I started to know Canadian culture, I have discovered reverse culture shock which I had thought it is usual, and I can now see Japan from a foreigner's view point. I have come to find delight in finding different culture.

 First of all, I will talk about life style. There are a lot of differences of life style between Canada and Japan. For example, we laundry hung outside to dry, we drink green tea every day, or almost Japanese bring own hand towel and so on.
  I already had culture shock the first day. My first culture shock was about toilet. Many Japanese like to spend time alone, and actually I am the person of them. For example, it is not unusual to go restaurant, Karaoke, or watching movies alone in Japan.  I think this is one of reasons that many Japanese worry about what others think of them. So they get tired easily to spend time with other people.

 For Japanese, the place of toilet is very important because there is the only space which we can be alone. And Japanese toilet is as known as high level. For example, in Japan, even a public washroom, a toilet is very warm, and they have bidet, and toilets which have sounds system and deodorant system for removing any sound or smell became common.

  When I arrived in Winnipeg, so I was very upset. Because Canada's washroom door is very small and wider than the doors in Japan, and similarly, in my home stay the toilet room has no keys. So I was uncomfortable because someone may see me from those gaps. I was always wondering Canadian don't care about it. In Japan, washroom is a space where people can be relax, but in Canada, people don't think so much, so it took long time to I got used to Canada's washroom.

Second of all, I am a University student in Japan. My Japanese University is Women’s University, and there are kindergarten, elementary school, women’s junior high school, and women’s university. So U of M and my Japanese University is very different. This University is huge, so to me it is like a big maze. So first 3 months to came here, I was always late may classes to change class room. And I could not understand why there are too many coffee shops in this University, and two Tim Hortons in the same building. But now, I go to Tim Hortons almost every day.
 In Japan, it is impossible that women and men live the same residence, so those things are very new to me.

 Finally, I think Canadian are very kind. In Japan, there are also many kind people. But I have felt that many times, and many IEP friends also say that. For example, when I don’t have small coins to buy coffee at Tim Hortons, clerks use money from coin box.  And recently I lost my phone somewhere in University. I attempt finding it, but it did not show up. But the same day my host family, I had lived before, told me that “someone who is a University student found your phone at school, and the person will bring the lost and found office in the University center. The next day, I got my phone. I could not say “thank you” to the person directly, but I really appreciate. And other day, one beautiful woman gave money. Then I could not understand why she gave me money. But then I realized that Canadian like to be kind to others.

I really rely on IEP leaders and teachers. They are very close to me and other students. Now, I live in residence. I have met many Canadian, and people who are from other countries in the residence. People who live here are also warm, friendly, funny, and many times they have helped me, so even though they can speak English well, they listen to my talking. When I can talk to them, I am really glad and happy. And it is also decrease to get home sick.

In Japan, people never greet strangers. It is usual that when we are children, we are taught that you must not talk to strangers by mothers or teachers. And usually people who are working don’t greet such as bus drivers or clerks in superstores. Because Japanese think working people should work hard and more seriously. So even buses don’t come on time, I like to take buses, and go to superstores in Winnipeg. So after go back Japan, I will feel that Japanese are unpleasant and cool.

For me, those culture gaps, or culture shock have not only negative meaning, but also those words have positive meaning. Thanks to finding different culture, I formed an attachment for Winnipeg and Japan, or Canadian and Japanese more and more.